Consumers will move 36 percent of their digital content to cloud by 2016 due to growth of camera-equipped smartphones and tablets, as well as desire to share and access content across multiple devices, Gartner predicts.

Streamlining storage now priority to better manage data surge, lower datacenter costs and improve business continuity, but challenges such as system downtime and compatibility have to be addressed, observers say.

The battle to be the top network hard drive solution for home networks continues with Iomega's latest salvo. The new StorCenter ix2 NAS device adds a new wrinkle with its Bluetooth supportallowing you to transfer files from a cell phoneand implements more software from parent company EMC.